Low agri performance restricts economic growth at 4.7%: PM

LONDON, May 30 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif on Monday said low agricultural performance during
the outgoing fiscal year 2015 16, restricted the economic
growth at around 4.7 percent, which could have touched 5.7
percent.

“Poor cotton crop and low commodity prices in the
international market contributed to the low agricultural
performance in Pakistan, which caused one percent less
growth of economy,” he added.

The Prime Minister expressed these views in a
brief chat with media persons here after chairing the NEC
and Cabinet meetings through video link from Pakistan High
Commission in London.

He, however, added that the country was on the path of
economic growth and would recover further.

To a question, Nawaz Sharif said he was not out of
country on his “own will”, rather he had come abroad for
medical treatment.

The Prime Minister referred to the chairing of NEC and
Federal Cabinet meetings through video link and said in the
prevailing circumstances, it was the best possible way that
he adopted and it should be acceptable to all.

When asked if the secrecy of budget proposals or related
informed can be ensured by using the video link method for
such meetings, Nawaz Sharif said these were just proposals and not any secret.

“Budget proposals often become headlines in newspapers
one day before these are presented in the cabinet or
parliament. This is common in Pakistan,” he said in a lighter
vein.

The Prime Minister, in response to a query about his
health, said with the grace of Almighty Allah he was fine; not
facing any problem and Insha Allah his health would further
improve after the operation [Open Heart Surgery] on Tuesday.

Nawaz Sharif thanked the nation as well as political
leaders and others for their prayers and good wishes for him.